Lt. Col. James J. Simms

James Simms Obituary

Lt. Col. James J. Simms USAF (Ret) Lt. Col. James Simms passed away on Monday, January 4, 2010 at the age of 80. Jim is survived by his sister, Jo Ann Williams of Leavenworth, Kansas; wife of 55 years, Jean R. Simms of Austin; daughter, Janice Monaco and grandsons, Chris and Matt Bading of Portland, Oregon; daughter, Katherine Simms of Austin; daughter, Karen Shields and granddaughters, Kristin and Avery Hastings of Houston, Texas. Jim was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on August 1929. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. He completed Aviation Cadet training and received his commission in 1953. He was a tactical fighter pilot until February 1977 at which time he retired from Bergstrom AFB. He had a number of overseas assignments including England, Germany, Greece, North Africa, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea. Jim was accompanied by his family on most of those assignments. He received numerous awards and decorations during his military service. He was most proud of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. After retiring from the Air Force, Jim worked for Covert Buick as warranty manager for fifteen years. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed with a Memorial Mass on Friday, January 8, 2010, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church 4800 Convict Hill Rd., Austin, Texas. Burial will be at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. The Family wishes to express a special note of appreciation to Hospice Austin and to Dr. F. C. Smith for their special care and concern. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78759, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 7000, El Segundo, California 90245, or the Wounded Warrior Project.org Memorials and guestbook online at wcfish.com

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Published by Austin American-Statesman on Jan. 6, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for James Simms

10 Entries

Emmett Hays

January 14, 2010

Jean, I was shocked and saddened to read about Jim's death. He was one of my finest pilots and most reliable. I clearly remember picking him to be the one to demonstrate bomb delivery for a Japanese inspection team. As always the bomb drop was right on the target. He will be missed and long remembered. Emmett L. Hays.

January 7, 2010

Janice, Mike and I are so saddened to hear about your father. You have given him a great treasure with Chris and Matt. Chris and Matt have a treasured memory. May this give you and your family great comfort.
With deep sympathy,
Stephanie Greene Werner

Thales "Tad" Derrick

January 7, 2010

Jim was a fine F-100 pilot and well liked by all who flew with him. I send my condolences to his entire family. My call-sign was "Meteor" when we flew together.

January 7, 2010

Jean,
It's been a long time since our days in Misawa, but Jim was one of the Blue Tails who I really looked up to as a young Hun pilot. I was proud to have flown with a man who was a true "warrior". May our Lord and Savior bless you and give you strength during these difficult days. Ron and Mary Miller (531st TFS Misawa, England, Vietnam).

Ed West

January 7, 2010

Jim was my uncle on my mother's side of the family. The first time I met him when I was five years old, he appeared nine feet tall in his USAF officer's uniform and pilot's glasses. He stopped at our home near March AFB on the way to Korea for TDY, and I'll never forget that special Texas drawl of his in pronouncing Korea as 'Koe-REE-uh'. Ever since then, the imprint of that moment causes me to think of Uncle Jim whenever world events focus on that Asian nation.

Uncle Jim, rest in peace and thank your for your service to our country.

KEITH Connolly

January 7, 2010

JIM SIMMS WAS THE BEST FRIEND AND PILOT I EVER KNEW. HE LOVED THE AIR FORCE AND SERVING THIS COUNTRY! HE AND JEAN WERE A SOLID TEAM THAT INFLUENCED MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING PAT AND MYSELF! OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY SINCE HE IS GONE....BUT WE SHALL ALWAYS CARRY HIS MEMORY CLOSE TO OUR HEART. "CURLEY"..WE LOVED YOU! KEITH AND PAT CONNOLLY

Chris Bading

January 7, 2010

Grandpa you will always be a hero and a mentor to me. I will teach my future children how much you mean to me one day as well as how important it is to live a life to the fullest and to always try new things; no matter hard they may seem to begin with. I will always think of you when I see military plane, a military officer, or a grandfather with his grandchildren. You taught me how to be both strong willed and kind hearted at the same time. I love you.

Chris Bading
Oldest Grandson
1/6/2010

Carmine Bassano

January 6, 2010

Our prayers are with you Jeannie. Jim(Jigger)was a good friend and teacher.
Dick and Carol Bassano (Misawa)

Joe Frederick

January 6, 2010

My sincere condolences to Jim's family and friends. I didn't know Jim but we shared the thrill of flying F-100s.
Happy Landings Jim

Russ and Dee Violett

January 6, 2010

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

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